Harris keeping his fingers crossed over Mackail-Smith

Mike Simmonds

Hatters assistant boss Terry Harris admits the club are keeping their fingers crossed over the signing of Craig Mackail-Smith.

The 31-year-old has been training with Luton during pre-season, playing two friendlies, although was recently linked with a move to League One Southend United as the uncertainty over his future rumbles on.

“Hopefully if he goes anywhere in League Two, it will be Luton Town.”

Terry Harris

When asked if he was hopeful a deal could be done for Mackail-Smith, speaking after today’s 1-1 draw at Peacehaven, Harris said: “I am, but nothing really surprises me in this game.

“As John (Still) has mentioned, we’ll just keep our fingers crossed. He’s a good player, we know Craig and hopefully if he goes anywhere in League Two, it will be Luton Town.

“He’s fitter now and doesn’t have any problems with any injuries as Dave Richardson has done a fantastic job in getting him through the training sessions.

“He hasn’t missed any training sessions and by his own admission, he’s feeling a bit sharper now and I think he looked sharper at Hitchin.”

There was some confusion at Peacehaven, with the home side mistakenly printing a team sheet that had Mackail-Smith down as starting.

However, Harris confirmed that was never going to the case, with the striker attending training at Ely Way, as he said: “No, Craig was never going to play today, because he played 90 minutes on Thursday.

“Most of those who played at Hitchin, will play on Monday as it gives them an extra day.

“They’ll do a training session today with John and Hakan (Hayrettin) and be ready for Monday evening.”

Although Magnus Okuonghae had his first outing in a Luton shirt, neither Jack Marriott or Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu featured yet again as Harris added: “Jack has got a slight thigh strain, but Pelly trained today as well, so the squad who trained will go to Gosport on Monday.”